US4773726A - Pusher device for plastic optical fiber - Google Patents

Pusher device for plastic optical fiber Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US4773726A
US4773726A US06/923,304 US92330486A US4773726A US 4773726 A US4773726 A US 4773726A US 92330486 A US92330486 A US 92330486A US 4773726 A US4773726 A US 4773726A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
pusher
optical fibers
members
cable
clamping
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/923,304
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eiji Ito
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Alps Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alps Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Alps Electric Co Ltd
Assigned to ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD. reassignment ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: ITO, EIJI
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4773726A publication Critical patent/US4773726A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/4471—Terminating devices ; Cable clamps
    • G02B6/4472—Manifolds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
    • G02B6/3874—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
    • G02B6/3878—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
    • G02B6/3888—Protection from over-extension or over-compression
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/389—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
    • G02B6/3893—Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pusher device for positioning the ends of plastic optical fibers, and more particularly to a pusher device employable for a multiple-core optical fiber cable incorporating plural plastic optical fibers.
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an end portion of a dual-core optical fiber cable in the prior art.
  • an optical fiber cable 1 is constituted of two plastic optical fibers 2 and 3 having different flows, sheaths 4 and 5 made of polyethylene, etc. for covering the respective optical fibers 2 and 3, and an outer cover 6 made of polyvinyl-chloride, etc. for generally covering the sheaths 4 and 5.
  • the sheaths 4 and 5 are exposed at the end portion of the optical fiber cable 1, and are held by a pusher device (not shown) to enhance a frictional force between the optical fiber 2 and the sheath 4 and a frictional force between the optical fiber 3 and the sheath 5, thus positioning the ends of the optical fibers 2 and 3.
  • the optical fibers 2 and 3 are projected from the end surfaces of the sheaths 4 and 5 by a predetermined amount.
  • the end surfaces 2a and 3a of the optical fibers 2 and 3 are arranged in opposed relation with an optical connector (not shown) so as to transmit an optical signal.
  • the end portions of the sheaths 4 and 5 are only held by a predetermined clamping force. Therefore, when a tensile force is applied near the end portion of the optical fiber cable 1, the end portions of the optical fibers 2 and 3 are also pulled to easily generate slippage of the end surfaces 2a and 3a.
  • the end portion of the outer cover 6 is fixed to the pusher device. In this case, when the optical fiber cable 1 is bent near its end portion as shown in FIG. 3, the end surfaces 2a and 3a of the optical fibers 2 and 3 are slipped from a predetermined position because of difference in curvature. For example, the optical fiber 2 on the side of smaller curvature in FIG. 3 is projected from the predetermined position, and is brought into abutment against the optical connector (not shown) to cause a serious accident such as damage of the end surfaces.
  • a pusher device for a plastic optical fiber comprising a pair of pusher members for holding and fixing end portions of plural plastic optical fibers covered with sheaths, and an annular fixing member engaged with an outer cover for covering at least a part of said sheaths not held by the pair of pusher members and generally covering said plural plastic optical fibers, the fixing member being rotatably received in a space defined by the pair of pusher members in such a manner as to be restrained from getting out of the space.
  • the fixing member engaged with the outer cover is stopped by the pusher members in such a manner as to be restrained from getting out of the space between the pusher members. Accordingly, even when a tensile force is applied near the end portion of the optical fiber cable, the end portions of the plastic optical fibers are not badly influenced by the tensile force. Moreover, the fixing member is rotatable with respect to the pusher members. Accordingly, even when the optical fiber cable is bent near the end portion thereof, the optical fiber cable itself is suitably rotated circumferentially to thereby avoid creation of large difference in curvature of both the optical fibers.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the essential part of the pusher device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pusher device in another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the end portion of the dual-core optical fiber cable in the prior art.
  • a pusher device 7 includes a pair of pusher members 8 and 9 and a fixing member 10.
  • the other parts similar to those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals.
  • the pair of pusher members 8 and 9 of the pusher device 7 are provided with channel-like pushing portions 8a, 8b and 9a, 9b corresponding to two optical fibers 2 and 3, respectively, at the front ends thereof.
  • a sheath 4 covering the optical fiber 2 is held by the pair of channel-like pushing portions 8a and 9a at the end portions thereof, and similarly a sheath 5 covering the optical fiber 3 is held by the pair of channel-like pushing portions 8b and 9b.
  • the pusher members 8 and 9 are provided with respective recesses 8c and 9c at the rear ends thereof for receiving the end portion of an outer cover 6 of an optical fiber cable 1.
  • the fixing member 10 is annularly formed, and is engaged with the end portion of the outer cover 6.
  • the outer diameter of the fixing member 10 after engaging with the outer cover 6 is designed to be greater than the inner diameter of an opening defined by the recesses 8c and 9c.
  • the fixing member 10 engaged with the outer cover 6 is received in the rear end area of a space as defined by the pusher members 8 and 9, a part of the pusher member 8 being omitted for the purpose of avoiding complication of the drawing, in such a manner that the fixing member 10 is restrained from getting out of the space. That is to say, when the optical fiber cable 1 is pulled near the end portion thereof in the direction as depicted by an arrow A, the fixing member 10 is stopped by the pusher members 8 and 9.
  • the fixing member 10 is not fixed to the pusher members 8 and 9, but is rotatably received in the space between the pusher members 8 and 9. Accordingly, even if the optical fiber cable 1 is bent near the end portion thereof in the direction as depicted by an arrow B, the optical fiber cable 1 itself suitably rotates in its circumferential direction to thereby avoid creation of large difference in curvature of both the optical fibers 2 and 3.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pusher device in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the corresponding parts in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
  • a plug 11 made of synthetic resin, clamping screws 12 and clamping nuts 13.
  • a pair of pusher members 8 and 9 formed of a metal plate are designed to hold sheaths 4 and 5 made of polyethylene by a predetermined clamping force of the clamping screws 12 and the clamping nuts 13, and are fixed to the plug 11 under the condition that a fixing member 10 made of metal engaged with an outer cover 6 made of polyvinyl chloride is rotatably received in a space between both the pusher members 8 and 9 in such a manner as to be restrained from getting out of the space.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
US06/923,304 1985-10-31 1986-10-27 Pusher device for plastic optical fiber Expired - Fee Related US4773726A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1985166730U JPS6276302U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1985-10-31 1985-10-31
JP60-166730[U] 1985-10-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4773726A true US4773726A (en) 1988-09-27

Family

ID=15836683

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/923,304 Expired - Fee Related US4773726A (en) 1985-10-31 1986-10-27 Pusher device for plastic optical fiber

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US4773726A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS6276302U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE3636955A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4818057A (en) * 1986-11-12 1989-04-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft An apparatus for fixing light waveguide cables in a plug housing
EP0392679A1 (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-10-17 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Branch device for multi-core optical fiber
US5146532A (en) * 1990-11-20 1992-09-08 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Optical fiber retention device
US5212750A (en) * 1992-06-12 1993-05-18 Simmonds Precision Engine System, Inc. Fiber optic harness having reduced weight and bulk, and method
US5315679A (en) * 1992-04-27 1994-05-24 International Business Machines Corporation Optical fibers duplex connector assembly
US6081642A (en) * 1997-02-20 2000-06-27 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Optical connector
US6461052B1 (en) 2000-03-17 2002-10-08 Ortronics, Inc. Optical fiber management module assembly
US9835806B2 (en) * 2006-08-01 2017-12-05 Commscope Technologies Llc Fiber optic cable and ferrule with smooth internal contours and method of terminating fiber with the ferrule
US10107971B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2018-10-23 Commscope Technologies Llc Dual inner diameter ferrule device and method
US20230168441A1 (en) * 2021-11-30 2023-06-01 Corning Research & Development Corporation Unjacketed fiber optic cable assembly, and cable assembly including connector with travel limited ferrule
CN117600801A (zh) * 2024-01-24 2024-02-27 济南显微智能科技有限公司 一种内窥镜组装设备
US12013577B2 (en) 2011-10-10 2024-06-18 Commscope Technologies Llc Cable and dual inner diameter ferrule device with smooth internal contours and method

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3833492C2 (de) * 1988-10-01 1994-11-03 Kabelmetal Electro Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Aufteilen von Lichtwellenleitern eines optischen Kabels
GB9320262D0 (en) * 1993-10-01 1993-11-17 Bicc Plc Breakout

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5440646A (en) * 1977-09-06 1979-03-30 Hitachi Ltd Optical branching device and production thereof
JPS58512A (ja) * 1981-06-25 1983-01-05 Mitsui Eng & Shipbuild Co Ltd 大型構造物の渠内建造方法
JPS58166311A (ja) * 1982-03-26 1983-10-01 Fujitsu Ltd 光フアイバ変換箱
US4427879A (en) * 1975-04-18 1984-01-24 Allied Corporation Optoelectronic connector assembly
JPS59164520A (ja) * 1983-03-09 1984-09-17 Alps Electric Co Ltd 光分岐・結合器

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2042817A (en) * 1979-02-27 1980-09-24 Cannon Electric Great Britain Strain relief device for terminating a cable
US4445750A (en) * 1981-06-22 1984-05-01 Trw Inc. Articulating fiber optic connectors with resilient mounting block

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4427879A (en) * 1975-04-18 1984-01-24 Allied Corporation Optoelectronic connector assembly
JPS5440646A (en) * 1977-09-06 1979-03-30 Hitachi Ltd Optical branching device and production thereof
JPS58512A (ja) * 1981-06-25 1983-01-05 Mitsui Eng & Shipbuild Co Ltd 大型構造物の渠内建造方法
JPS58166311A (ja) * 1982-03-26 1983-10-01 Fujitsu Ltd 光フアイバ変換箱
JPS59164520A (ja) * 1983-03-09 1984-09-17 Alps Electric Co Ltd 光分岐・結合器

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4818057A (en) * 1986-11-12 1989-04-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft An apparatus for fixing light waveguide cables in a plug housing
EP0392679A1 (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-10-17 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Branch device for multi-core optical fiber
US5146532A (en) * 1990-11-20 1992-09-08 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Optical fiber retention device
US5315679A (en) * 1992-04-27 1994-05-24 International Business Machines Corporation Optical fibers duplex connector assembly
US5212750A (en) * 1992-06-12 1993-05-18 Simmonds Precision Engine System, Inc. Fiber optic harness having reduced weight and bulk, and method
US6081642A (en) * 1997-02-20 2000-06-27 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Optical connector
US6461052B1 (en) 2000-03-17 2002-10-08 Ortronics, Inc. Optical fiber management module assembly
US10634856B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2020-04-28 Commscope Technologies Llc Dual inner diameter ferrule device and method
US11467353B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2022-10-11 Commscope Technologies Llc Cable and dual inner diameter ferrule device with smooth internal contours and method
US10295757B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2019-05-21 Commscope Technologies Llc Fiber optic ferrule with smooth internal contours and method of terminating fiber with the ferrule
US9835806B2 (en) * 2006-08-01 2017-12-05 Commscope Technologies Llc Fiber optic cable and ferrule with smooth internal contours and method of terminating fiber with the ferrule
US10942317B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2021-03-09 Commscope Technologies Llc Fiber optic ferrule with smooth internal contours
US10976503B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2021-04-13 Commscope Technologies Llc Dual inner diameter ferrule device and method
US11397296B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2022-07-26 Commscope Technologies Llc Dual inner diameter ferrule device and method
US10107971B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2018-10-23 Commscope Technologies Llc Dual inner diameter ferrule device and method
US12124091B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2024-10-22 Commscope Technologies Llc Dual inner diameter ferrule device and method
US12013577B2 (en) 2011-10-10 2024-06-18 Commscope Technologies Llc Cable and dual inner diameter ferrule device with smooth internal contours and method
US12326598B2 (en) 2011-10-10 2025-06-10 Commscope Technologies Llc Cable and dual inner diameter ferrule device with smooth internal contours and method
US20230168441A1 (en) * 2021-11-30 2023-06-01 Corning Research & Development Corporation Unjacketed fiber optic cable assembly, and cable assembly including connector with travel limited ferrule
CN117600801A (zh) * 2024-01-24 2024-02-27 济南显微智能科技有限公司 一种内窥镜组装设备
CN117600801B (zh) * 2024-01-24 2024-06-07 济南显微智能科技有限公司 一种内窥镜组装设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS6276302U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1987-05-15
DE3636955A1 (de) 1987-05-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4773726A (en) Pusher device for plastic optical fiber
US5915056A (en) Optical fiber strain relief device
US6178283B1 (en) End piece for a fiber-optic cable
US5094552A (en) Interlocking strain relief
US6932515B2 (en) Guide boot for a fiber-optic cable
US4696537A (en) Connector for fiber optic cables
US4477146A (en) Optical waveguide connector
US5138678A (en) Connector with a variable direction strain relief
US4339172A (en) Connector having a single segmented deformable grip member for optical cables
US20170235063A1 (en) Strain relief boot and fiber optic cable assembly including the same
EP0056196B1 (en) A connector for use in butt splicing two optical fibres
US4652082A (en) Angled electro optic connector
JP5688832B2 (ja) 曲げ制限ブーツ
US5607323A (en) Snap adapter
JP2928334B2 (ja) 光ファイバケーブル用連結装置
US5835660A (en) Optical fibre clamping device
JPH07218764A (ja) 光ファイバーコネクタ
US4765700A (en) Pusher device for plastic optical fiber
IE910546A1 (en) Drawing head for ribbon type optical cables equipped with¹respective end connectors
US10782488B2 (en) Connector-attached optical fiber cord with protective tube
US5818995A (en) Lens unit and light pipe assembly
JP4104688B2 (ja) 光ファイバケーブル端末構造及びそれに使用されるキャップ部材
US6893164B2 (en) Optical connector and structure of holding an optical fiber cord
EP0889339B1 (en) Mechanical coupling of optic fibres
US20020061170A1 (en) Optical fiber holder

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD., 1-7 YUKIGAYA OTSUKA-CHO,

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ITO, EIJI;REEL/FRAME:004633/0436

Effective date: 19860520

Owner name: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.,JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ITO, EIJI;REEL/FRAME:004633/0436

Effective date: 19860520

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 19920927

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362